OLYMPUS PEN E-P5 Mirrorless Interchangeable-Lens Camera

 OLYMPUS PEN E-P5 Mirrorless Interchangeable-Lens Camera

Olympus announced Friday the PEN E-P5 its latest rangefinder-style Micro Four Thirds cameras in both Japan and the US. Featuring the same 16Mpix sensor that has been features in other Olympus models the E-P5 comes however with a new and improved five-axis IS and shutter capable of shooting at 1/8000th of a second, an ISO Speed up to 25,600, 1080/30p video instead of the previous 60i, a gorgeous 2.4M dot LCD electronic viewfinder and WiFi! Finally E-P5 will available from May at around $1,000/£900/€1000 body only

The OLYMPUS PEN series that debuted in October 1959 took the world by storm as a pioneer in its day for bringing cameras to a mass audience thanks to the original concepts it packed into one place such as cutting the size in half to reduce weight and offering a beautiful design. Known as the camera that could be carried easily anywhere like a pen, the series was a big hit with 17 million units sold.
Revived a half-century later in July 2009 as a digital single lens reflex camera that retained the concept behind its film version predecessors, the series has won great praise since the introduction of the first digital version-the OLYMPUS PEN E-P1-for its exacting design, excellent portability, and the rich powers of expression and superb image quality it offers. The cameras have been warmly received by those who are particular about their lifestyles.
We have been working to satisfy the desires arising from the increasingly diverse attitudes to how photography fits into people’s lives. In 2010, we added the OLYMPUS PEN Lite series to our lineup for those customers who enjoy being more active in their photography. We followed that in 2011 with the OLYMPUS PEN mini series, which as the smallest PEN of them all brought new levels of casualness to photography. At the same time, we have also been making steady advances with our original digital camera lineup. As a pioneer in the area of clearly setting apart cameras for expressing yourself from the conventional “big, heavy, and difficult” type of single lens reflex cameras, its digital version of the OLYMPUS PEN series has always offered the pleasures of finding new approaches to photography and photographic expression.

In this, the series’ fifth year, we are introducing the OLYMPUS PEN E-P5, a flagship model with maximum quality.
For its appearance, we have used a design that at every turn maintains the PEN DNA of always providing new value while taking it forward to a new generation. Exacting down to the smallest detail of the materials and textures used, the design is one that delivers a “portable premium quality” experience.
Furthermore, the performance is such that no photo opportunity will get away from with the advanced 5-Axis Image Stabilization that is a step up from OLYMPUS OM-D E-M5, the high-speed response FAST AF, and the 1/8000 sec. of high-speed shutter -a world’s first*1 for a mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera. The camera’s built-in Wi-Fi function have vastly improved the series’ capacity to work together with smartphones when it comes to sending images, setting up sharing, and wireless shooting. It brings mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera even farther into your life and makes them easier and more convenient to use.
In terms of operability, the new 2×2 Dial Control helps when it comes to both ease of use and customization. The functions of the two dials can be easily changed using the Fn (function) lever, allowing your photographic intentions can be instantly reflected in the snaps you take thus broadening your scope of expression.
The lens kit includes our newest Electronic Viewfinder, the VF-4. The VF-4 makes it easier to take even more elaborate shots; the user can engage in high-resolution finder photography at high-power magnifications that are on par with those of a full-size single-lens reflex camera.
The OLYMPUS PEN E-P5 is the flagship of the OLYMPUS PEN series. It has a functional beauty that makes you happy to hold it, to take photos with it, and to get the most out of it.
Olympus will continue to enhance our line of mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras and system equipment in our quest to create and grow new markets.
Main Feature Details

1. Sophisticated PEN design that enshrines a “portable premium quality” experience
1) Advanced design for a new generation

The OLYMPUS PEN E-P5 carries on the essence of the design found in all OLYMPUS PEN cameras and advances its appearance to a new level, as is appropriate for a flagship product that brings the series itself up to a higher step. The shape of the top deck as viewed from above retains that of the OLYMPUS PEN E-P3 to give it the sense of being a piece with the tilting LCD, while the design of the OLYMPUS PEN E-P1 is retained for the silhouette view of the front. The front of the body itself incorporates the leather essence of the OLYMPUS PEN F-which on its debut was the world’s first half-frame single-lens reflex camera-and adds to it a modern metal treatment brings out the texture of the metals and finishes it off with a modern exterior. The character line that creates an overall impression of the camera retains the design of the OLYMPUS PEN F and has the OLYMPUS PEN logo engraved upon it. That logo is the crown of the OLYMPUS PEN brand, symbolizing as it does that this is the flagship model for which advances have been made that are only appropriate for the brand has provided new value as an innovation on cameras from the age of film.
2) Exacting attention to materials, form, texture, and color

While adhering to the modern flavor expected of the OLYMPUS PEN series, we were exacting when it came to the superiority of the texture of the metal parts used for the top desk, front control dial, rear control dial, mode dial, shutter release button, lens-release button, and the arrow pad cover, increasing the degree of overall perfection. Also, the color of the dials and the treatment method change depending on the color of the body; various elements shine with silver or black from dial to dial on the black body, and we aimed to get optimal texture in each and every place for each color variation. The body is finished so that none of the screws can be seen on the sides, front, or top of the body.
3) Form and operability with a concern for ease of use

To permit the user to easily take photos even though the body is small, we tried out a variety of patterns to confirm not only the height of the grip and position of the dials but even the places where the strap attaches, and achieved the optimal sizes and positions. Levers and buttons are positioned in a clearly understandable way around the arrow pad, with consideration given to being able to operate them more intuitively. The sides are also shaped so the user can get grip them readily and the tilting LCD can be smoothly pulled out even when a tripod is being used. We have reassessed operability in all respects in our pursuit of ease of use.

2. First mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera to offer 1/8000 sec. high-speed shutter*1

The 1/8000 sec. high-speed shutter found to date only on certain cameras is now available for the first time with a mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera. It is perfect for photographing subjects that are moving quickly, and what’s more also the large aperture lens can be used at maximum aperture even during bright daytime shooting. The newly added low sensitivity ISO LOW mode (equivalent to 100), used in combination with the 1/8000 sec. shutter speed, also makes it possible to draw out defocusing effects to the maximum, allowing for even more varied photographic expressions.

3. Built-in Wi-Fi®*2 function enables easy sharing of images and wireless shooting
1) Easy and convenient image transfer functions

A built-in Wi-Fi function is new to the OLYMPUS PEN E-P5. You can easily connect the camera to your smartphone by just tapping the Wi-Fi icon. Using the Olympus Image Share (OI.Share) smartphone application, you can easily send the photos you have taken to your smartphone and view them easily. By selecting images to share on the camera and adding them to a list, you can quickly send only those images you have chosen to your smartphone. Photos marked for sharing can be viewed when making a “One-time Connection,” which is convenient for when you want to share photos directly. Up to four devices can be connected simultaneously, allowing to enjoy sharing the photos you take on the spot with family and friends.
2) Wireless Touch AF Shutter remote control permits operating the camera from your smartphone

Using the remote control features of OI.Share, you can check the camera’s Live View screen while taking photos by remote. By tapping on the Live View screen shown on your smartphone, you can set the AF point just like you would when operating the camera and release the shutter*4. You can also set the timer from your smartphone, making it optimal for taking group photos. Since you can release the shutter when cued by a voice recorded on your smartphone so everyone can easily recognize when the shutter is going to be released, you can catch everyone with their best smiling faces.
3) Location Information Appending function allows GPS log data to be added to photos recording with the camera

Geotags (location information) can be easily added on the camera to the photos you take with it by simply sending the high-precision GPS log data recorded by OI.Share to your camera.
4) Advanced Image Manipulation

Advanced Image Manipulation features include the 12 kinds of Art Filters that the OLYMPUS PEN E-P5 supports. You can also make sharing photos even more fun by using for those shots taken using the camera’s PHOTO STORY mode such features as “PHOTO STORY+” for adding a rich variety of stamps and “Signature” for adding a handwritten or original image signature.
5) Easy Wi-Fi connection setup to link the camera to a smartphone

Use the OI.Share’s private connection to smoothly complete even the most bothersome initial Wi-Fi setup by just reading the QR code displayed on the camera’s display with your smartphone.

4. 2×2 Dial Control for ease of use and options for customization

The 2×2 (“two-by-two”) Dial Control is a new system for controlling four commonly used photographic functions-aperture/shutter speed, exposure compensation, ISO setting, and white balance-directly by dial. By default, exposure compensation is assigned to the front dial and aperture/shutter speed is assigned to the rear dial. By switching the Fn (function) lever, ISO setting can be adjusted by the front dial, and white balance by the rear dial. In addition to controlling 2×2 Dial Control operations, the Fn lever can also be used to switch Movie button functions (movie functions and Fn button function) and the focus modes*5. The easy operability makes it possible to intuitively get what you want into a photo with these customized functions.

5. Full line of accessories that make carrying the camera a pleasure and using it fun (sold separately*3)

We have put together a line of separately sold accessories to make taking photos with the OLYMPUS PEN E-P5 that much more enjoyable. For details, please refer to the related products page that follows.
*4 Shooting mode will switch to iAUTO.
*5 Focus mode can be changed by selecting as desired between C-AF and S-AF.
Other Features

1. 5-Axis Image Stabilization mechanism that’s a further improved from the OLYMPUS OM-D
The in-body 5-Axis Image Stabilization mechanism that corrects the various kinds of shaking that can happen whether you are shooting still photos or recording movies is effective for all kinds of lenses, from Micro Four Thirds lenses to old ones. This image stabilization system that is more powerful than anything that can be provided by in-lens image stabilization systems has been made compact enough to fit in the small body of the OLYMPUS PEN.
1) Newly added IS-AUTO
The IS-AUTO mode that is new to the OLYMPUS PEN E-P5 automatically detects the camera’s movements, provides optimal control of the correction direction for panning regardless of direction-up, down, or at an angle-and corrects only the orthogonal direction of the pan.
2) Correction checking on the Live View screen
This feature makes it possible to check the image stabilization effects on the Live View screen that had been difficult with in-body image stabilization systems. The user can press the shutter button halfway to check the image stabilization effects on the display and decide on the composition for taking photos. The image remains on the display for two seconds after the shutter button is released, making it possible to stabilize the autofocus point and set framing.
3) Multi-motion IS
The Multi-motion IS used in combination with the 5-Axis Image Stabilization mechanism produces excellent correction performance even during movie recording. Even the gradual but significant blurring that occurs while walking or due to breathing that had been difficult to correct using conventional correction mechanisms is handled effectively by the Multi-motion IS when using the movie blur-correction mode*6.

2. FAST AF and a Short Release Time Lag mode that make quick responses possible
Thanks to increases in the speeds of both the image sensor and arithmetic processing, the FAST AF system that on the OLYMPUS OM-D E-M5-which already was the world’s fastest*7-has gotten even faster. In addition to the extremely high-speed FAST AF, the OLYMPUS PEN E-P5 also comes with a new short release time lag mode. With a time lag of only 0.044 seconds*8, instant photo opportunities will not get away from you even if you are photographing a subject moving at high speed.

3. Super Spot AF and Focus Peaking make it easier to focus
1) Super Spot AF
Further advances have been made to the magnification autofocus that is useful for when you want to be more precise in positioning the focus in a small area such as when shooting macro photos. The newly added Super Spot AF helps you to accurately bring into focus even extremely small subjects, as it allows you to select an area even smaller than the AF point for phase-difference autofocus and set a pinpoint autofocus on its center.
2) Small AF Target
You can set your focus even more precisely by using the Small AF Target, which reduces the size of the Spot AF target, even for a 35-point full area that permits setting the entire Live View screen as your AF point.
3) Focus Peaking
The camera has the Focus Peaking function*9 that helps bringing shots into focus manually such as when taking photos using an old lens. The contours of a focus set close at hand are emphasized in white or black. This function used in conjunction with in-body image stabilization will dramatically improve the usability of manual focus lenses.

4. High-speed sequential shooting at 9 fps
Capture even subjects moving at high speeds with certainty using the sequential shooting feature to shoot as fast as 9 fps*10. High-speed sequential shooting as fast as 5 fps can be accomplished when using the Tracking AF (C-AF+Tr), which works in conjunction with the autofocus to follow your subject.

5. New forms of photographic expression: Art Filter and PHOTO STORY
The world of photographic expression has been greatly expanded with Art Filters for creatively coloring your photos and the PHOTO STORY for creating the story of the scene through multiple photos. These are unique Olympus features for presenting everyday casual moments in varied and individual ways.
1) Olympus’ Art Filters for expanding the world of photographic expression
Twelve kinds of Art Filters are offered for stirring the sparks of imagination. A broad range of 398 different variations can be put together between seven Art Effects*11 and Frame Effects, and your powers of expression are further expanded. If you can’t make up your mind about choosing a filter, you can use the Art Filter Bracketing function to generate multiple pictures with Art Filters with a single shot and then view them as a slideshow. Between the fun of seeing ordinary scenes change as though you’re looking at them through a kaleidoscope and the unexpected effects of filters on them, this feature will lead to making new discoveries in ordinary scenes. Art Filter Bracketing can be applied to recorded RAW format data by in-camera RAW processing.
2) Snap a single scene from multiple viewpoints with PHOTO STORY
By collecting photos, you can begin to tell a story of your everyday moments-a PHOTO STORY. By merely tapping the Live View screen to take your photos, you can enjoy a new kind of photography experiences and of photographic expression by snapping off a given moment from a variety of perspectives.
Two thematic modes are available: “Standard,” which offers a rich variety of patterns, effects, aspect ratios, and division numbers, and “Fun Frame,” which makes refined and fun photos possible based around three stylish variations. The PHOTO STOTY feature can help you to turn both everyday scenes and memorable moments into something colorful and unique.

6. Interval Shooting and Time Lapse Movies
1) Interval Shooting
The camera features a new interval shooting function where the time interval (1 second to 24 hours) and number of shots (1 to 99) can be set. With a very simple operation, users can shoot a series of pictures showing the growth of a plant, the drifting of clouds, moving crowds or a butterfly emerging from chrysalis form.
2) Time Lapse Movies
Users can easily convert a series of pictures taken using interval shooting into a time-lapse movie*12, in a camera, like those often seen in movies or documentary films. Art Filters can also be used to produce even more creative time-lapse movies.

7. Movie Teleconverter and Art Fade to expand the scope of moving image expression
The Teleconverter feature allows the user to select a part of a movie during movie recording by tapping it on the touchscreen panel and switch back and forth between the magnified movies and the wide movies without deterioration. Using it brings more fun to movie recording, allowing the user to capture the atmosphere at school plays, sporting events, and the like while zooming in for close ups of children’s faces matched to a given scene. Also, by tapping on the touchscreen during movie recording and then selecting one of the Art Filters*13, the user can create more artistic movies with the selected filter in which the image gradually changes.

8. Superb image quality inherited from the OLYMPUS OM-D
The camera incorporates three advanced technologies that help it to produce the highest image quality of any mirrorless system.
1) High-performance M.ZUIKO DIGITAL lens, a product of traditional optics technology
To take high-quality photos, you need a lens with superior optical performance. The camera’s M.ZUIKO DIGITAL lens-created with the lens design traditions and manufacturing techniques of that noted optical equipment manufacturer-demonstrate their superb optical characteristics in creating superior image quality.
2) New 16M Live MOS Image Sensor for expanding low-sensitivity options and adding higher speeds
Speed options have been expanded to range from ISO25600 as the maximum sensitivity to ISO LOW (equivalent to 100) on the low end. Together with the 1/8000 sec. high-speed shutter, this feature further expands the scope of photographic expression by allowing, for example, for defocusing effects to be produced on bright days. The capacity to reduce noise considerably across the high-sensitivity domain will preserve details even for dark places shot at night. The rich dynamic range also makes for smooth gradation expressions of scenes where the contrast is great, allowing the user to beautifully depict light and shadow that previously could not be captured.
3) TruePic VI image processing engine to fully bring out the capabilities of the lens and sensor
The Fine Detail Processing suppresses the generation of false colors and moiré to produce clear images with a high resolution quality. The camera’s Real Color Technology has made it possible to reproduce even more faithfully such colors as emerald green and yellow that are otherwise difficult to reproduce. The TruePic VI image processing engine technology exclusive to Olympus will fully bring out the capabilities of high image quality lenses and sensors.

9. Advanced Live Bulb
If you use the advanced Live Bulb mode, you can look on the monitor to determine the optimal exposure even for photographing bulb-dependent subjects like fireworks or stars where you previously had to rely solely on experience and intuition. Furthermore, when taking photos in the Live Bulb mode the camera automatically reduces the monitor’s brightness to prevent glare. We also made it easier to use by making it possible to display a histogram and the elapsed time of an exposure.

10. i-AUTO automatically selects from among 42 different shooting modes*14
i-AUTO is an intelligent photography mode through which the camera selects from among 42 different photography modes the one matched to the subject to automatically produce the optimal photo. It automatically picks from among such complex photography settings as “Portrait + Backlighting & Vivid Colors” or “Spotlight” and takes the photo. The OLYMPUS PEN E-P5 detects the subject’s movements before taking a photo and instantaneously adjusts the ISO and shutter speed, reducing also any blurring of the subject.

11. 1.04 million dot, 3-inch Tilt-type Touch Panel LCD*15
The OLYMPUS PEN E-P5 is equipped with a 1.04 million dot high-definition tilt-type touch panel LCD. The tilt can be adjusted to face upwards at an 80-degree angle and downwards at a 50-degree angle; this provides a great deal of freedom in the photos the user can take, opting for the high-angle shots used at weddings or sporting events or the low-angle shots suited to photographing children or pets. The highly responsive capacitative touch panel is equipped with a fingerprint resistant coating, easily allowing for taking photographs by tapping the screen. Using a gapless structure that has eliminated air layers, we created a monitor that suppresses reflected light internally and controls drops in contrast at high viewing angles.

12. High-performance built-in flash
We improved the flash synchronization speeds of the internal GN7 (ISO100) and the GN10 (ISO200) flashes by 1/320 of a second*16. That made it easier to take backlit shots and other synchro photo during the daytime. It also has a commander function, so users can also easily take shots with sophisticating lighting using a wireless flash. Users can also make detailed manual flash settings*17.
*6 During movie recording, the angle of field will become somewhat narrower when image stabilization has been activated.
*7 As of February 2012, when the product was announced.
*8 When pressing the shutter halfway with image stabilization OFF. Battery consumption will increase and the number of photos that can be taken reduced by about 60 shots (CIPA standard).
*9 Can be switched to the peaking display using the Fn button. The peaking display can be canceled by pressing the Fn button again or pressing the shutter button down halfway. (Peaking display is not available when the shutter button is pressed halfway.)
*10 With image stabilization OFF and sequential H setting (AF is locked at the first frame).
*11 The Art Effects and frames that can be added will differ depending on the Art Filter used.
*12 Maximum 10 seconds movie (at 99 shots)
*13 The Diorama Art Filter cannot be used together with the Art Fade effect.
*14 36 types during movie recording.
*15 Vivid or Natural can be selected for the monitor colour tone.
*16 Synchronization speed will change based on the flash used. 1/250 when using an external flash.
*17 FULL, 1/1.3, 1/1.6, 1/2, 1/2.5, 1/3, 1/4, 1/5, 1/6, 1/8, 1/10, 1/13, 1/16, 1/20, 1/25, 1/32, 1/40, 1/50, and 1/64

Olympus PEN E-P5 sports impressive specs and classic good looks, we go hands-on (video)

Olympus PEN EP5 sports impressive specs and classic good looks, we go handson video

Last spring, we trekked two hours north of Vancouver to the bustling ski town of Whistler. Olympus, we were told, would be making a very significant announcement, and we needed to make our way to British Columbia to check it out. The product sample we walked away with, the OM-D E-M5, was indeed worth the trip — we quickly recognized the potential, and later dubbed the mirrorless shooter the “company’s best camera yet.” Its image quality, unique five-axis image stabilization and shockingly fast autofocus represented just some of the device’s most impressive features — we were smitten. So, when Olympus reached out with a similar teaser last month, we didn’t hesitate to make the same journey yet again to spend a day with this year’s MFT master.

It’s the PEN E-P5, and you probably knew it was coming. Details and even a few product shots leaked to the web last week, revealing a gorgeous, classic design, and some pretty impressive specifications, many of which have made their way from the E-M5. There’s a 16-megapixel sensor with five-axis stabilization, 1080/30p video, a 1.04M-dot 3-inch touchscreen that tilts up and down, a 1/8000-second maximum shutter speed (enabling more shallow depth of field in sunlight), an ISO range of 100-25,600, a 0.5-second start-up time and OM-D-like autofocus speeds that let the camera adjust for a subject quickly regardless of the lighting conditions. It’s plenty impressive on paper, but how did it hold up during our test? Read on to find out.

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Google Glass in action: the wearable camera

Google Glass isn’t solely about photography, but that’s inevitably the first thing you try out – and the first thing you demonstrate to people when they inevitably ask you questions. Right now there seem to be two approaches to wearables like Glass, either aiming to make the headset blend in, and not cause waves by avoiding being noticed in the first place, or by facing the privacy and photography concerns people have face-on, and opening up a dialog about how bodyworn tech is going to change things. Maybe the fact I picked Google’s tangerine-finish Glass Explorer Edition is an indicator, but I’m all for challenging the status-quo rather than hoping it will merely blend in.

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I picked up Glass a little less than a week ago, and it’s already become a must-grab gadget when I leave the house. A big part of that is how closely it weaves multimedia into your daily life, not just in how you record them, but how you can then instantly share them in a way that doesn’t take you away from the moment.

The quality of the footage Glass produces is actually pretty good. The camera snaps stills at 5-megapixels and up to 720p HD video, and while low-light performance pales in comparison to the more adept smartphones, it’s still good enough to make our your subject in the resulting clip. What takes more getting used to is the actual process of filming clips, which only serves to highlight quite how much movement we make without realizing it.

Usually, with a smartphone camera, we’re pretty adept at keeping it still during filming. When the camera is mounted on your head, though, you suddenly realize that we seldom keep our heads still, nodding and turning around and generally doing things completely at odds with capturing a stable clip. It also took a little time before I learned to plan movements with my eyes before turning my head: otherwise, you dash the frame all around. That also means no nodding when in conversations with people, no looking off to the side to make sure the dog hasn’t run off, and no glancing down at your watch unless you want everybody to look at it too.

If there are compromises to be made, though, then there are advantages to Glass-style filming too. The ability to go hands-free when you’re playing with your kids, or to quickly snap off a photo when a friend is doing something goofy, without having to dig into your pocket first and unlock your phone. It’s also surprisingly useful for documenting things as you do them, from the user’s eye view. Okay, not everybody is going to be running through opening up and applying a screen protector, like I did with Glass and this Galaxy S 4 kit, but giving remote tech support to a distant relative, or sitting in as someone shows you their favorite recipe, or piggy-backing into a meeting when you can’t be there in person.

What would make Glass better? I can’t help but imagine what an UltraPixel sensor as in HTC’s One could do for low-light shots. In fact, HTC’s Zoe system, pulling together a brief video clip (3.5s versus Glass’ default 10s) and a cluster of stills, seems like an ideal match for a wearable like Glass. That way you’d have more likelihood of picking out the best-framed image of the bunch, and with fewer headaches about low-light conditions.

That HTC also manages to fit in optical image stabilization is also tempting, since that might help iron out some of the judders we can’t help but make when wearing Glass. Most of all, though, I’d like to see more battery life: right now, with mixed use, I’m seeing around four hours before Glass is demanding I plug it in, though it’s worth pointing out that it does recharge relatively quickly.

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Google Glass battery
Google Glass battery
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Google Glass battery
Google Glass battery

I’m also excited about the camera potential when Glass spreads. Right now, it’s a one-way thing, since most people don’t have Explorer Edition units yet. But, when that changes – and I do believe it will, despite the Glass naysayers – it’ll mean we can effectively split ourselves between multiple places, switching between physical and virtual presence as we jump in and out of other Glass-wearers’ headsets.

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Google Glass Product shots
Google Glass Product shots
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Google Glass Product shots
Google Glass Product shots
Google Glass Product shots
Google Glass Product shots
Google Glass Product shots
Google Glass Product shots

Still, as I said, there’s more to Glass than its camera. Next up I’ll be looking at the practicalities of slinging an Android computer to your head, and whether wearable tech really does offer more than just a capable smartphone. Meanwhile, if you have any Glass questions, ask them in the comments!

Google Glass: Sample shots

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Google Glass in action: the wearable camera is written by Vincent Nguyen & originally posted on SlashGear.
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Zopo C2 phone with Aliyun OS hands-on (video)

Zopo C2 with Aliyun OS handson

We were rather surprised by Zopo’s C2 (aka Xiaohei) when it was announced last month, and fortunately, it didn’t disappoint us when we spotted the real thing at GMIC Beijing. For those who are just catching up, this Aliyun OS 2.0 phone packs some surprisingly good specs for its ¥1,399 ($230) price tag: a 5-inch 1080p LTPS display, a 13-megapixel main camera, a 5-megapixel front imager, a removable 2,000mAh battery and dual WCDMA 850/2100 SIM slots — one for a standard SIM and one for a micro-SIM.

During our brief hands-on, the software ran well on top of the 1.2GHz quad-core MT6589 SoC with 1GB RAM, though the built-in 4GB storage will definitely need some microSD love, as we kept seeing a warning message about low storage space. Industrial design-wise, the C2 is quite well-built, and while it’s not the most exciting-looking phone in the world, we’re just glad that Zopo is finally no longer ripping off designs from the likes of Samsung, HTC and LG. Hands-on video after the break.

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Nokia Asha 501 hands-on

Take Nokia’s estimable skills in crafting solid, affordable smartphones, a dash of MeeGo-learned interface know-how, and a motivating desperation to own the developing market, and you get this, the Nokia Asha 501. First of the new Asha Touch series, and toting an ambitious $99 (pre-tax and subsidy) sticker, the Asha 501 does what Nokia would argue only it can: distill the build quality and usability of a Lumia into something with the mass market reach of an Asha. The 501 makes its debut in India today, but SlashGear caught up with Nokia last week to find out exactly what makes it special.

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Nokia isn’t new to making cheap phones, nor cheap touchscreen handsets. Its previous Asha series have run the gamut from numeric keypads through QWERTY thumbboards, to full-touch, with pricing in the low double-digits even before operators have had their way with subsidies. The Asha 501, though, is of a new breed: the first to market to run the new “Asha platform” for a start, and the closest an Asha has come to not only a Lumia Windows Phone, but to Nokia’s ill-fated but highly-esteemed N9.

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So, you get a compact, sturdy unibody plastic chassis that’s worlds apart from the cheap feeling casing of previous Asha phones, and available in a choice of Lumia-esque colors – red, green, cyan, yellow, white, or black – with a slab of scratch-resistant glass up front. Just because it’s a cheap phone doesn’t mean it compromises on design: fit and finish of the handsets we saw felt far above the $100 price point, and the neat stylistic touches – such as the oval stud on the lower back panel, which not only allows you to remove the cover but serves as the speaker hole – leave the Asha 501 punching higher than its peers.

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The hardware straddles the line between price and ability. Most disappointing – though understandable, given the target market – is the absence of 3G, with the Asha 501 making do with a 2G connection along with WiFi. There’ll be 3G Asha touch phones in future, Nokia tells us. Both single- and dual-SIM versions of the 501 will be offered, depending on location, with the first SIM under the battery but the second hot-swappable next to it, and a microSD slot that will come preloaded with a 4GB card. Dual-SIM models will be able to switch between the two cards without demanding the phone be power-cycled.

Speaking of power, that’s another string to the Asha 501′s bow. Nokia is quoting a runtime of up to 48 days standby (from the single-SIM version; the dual-SIM manages up to 26 days standby) or up to 17hrs talktime, which is more than impressive for a touchscreen smartphone. There’s Bluetooth inside too, along with a 3.2-megapixel camera.

Nokia Asha 501 hands-on video:

The tech is only half of the story, though; the other side is the new Asha platform. It may be built on some of the fundamentals of S40, but in practice it’s a new beast almost entirely, far more reminiscent of MeeGo on 2011′s N9 than anything else. We loved MeeGo and the N9, and so are glad to see that Nokia has in effect distilled much of what made them great into a device that’s far more ready for the mass market.

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Swiping is the name of the game, with the Asha platform homescreen split into two views: the app launcher, a grid of “squircle” icons, and the Fastlane, a notification stream that tracks how you use your phone in chronological order. Apps loaded, calls and messages made or received, photos or videos taken, music played, or social networking updates posted are all listed, with the single physical control on the fascia – the back button – making multitasking between apps straightforward. Pull the Fastlane down, meanwhile, and you get a glimpse of what’s round the corner, with upcoming calendar entries listed, along with single-tap updating of Facebook and/or Twitter.

The other big software addition is Nokia Xpress Now, which builds on the Xpress browser – supporting server-side compression to cut down on data costs and delays – with a dynamically customized web-based “magazine” of news content that automatically pulls in new information based on your previous reading preferences. The browser itself has been redesigned with big, easily navigable buttons from the outset, along with a merged address/search bar that can be switched between Bing, Google, and Yahoo. HERE mapping will arrive in Q3 2013, meanwhile, and pave the way for more of Nokia’s custom location services to be added to the Asha platform.

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Nokia isn’t handling all the apps itself, however. The Asha platform has access to a download store for third-party titles, with only a minor amount of fettling needed to get existing S40 software ready for the new OS. Nokia has carried over its deal with EA Games to offer forty free titles for all new buyers, while Facebook, Foursquare, LINE, Twitter, and more all have software ready to download. Nokia tells us it expects 90-percent of the so-called “key apps” to be available for the Asha platform within the next few months, a somewhat nebulous promise admittedly, but one which at least suggests the Finns aren’t entirely focused on pushing Windows Phone.

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In practice, it all works surprisingly well, considering the price. At 99.2 x 58 x 12.1 mm and 98g it’s a short, stubby little thing that nestles into the palm nicely; Nokia isn’t talking processor speed or memory, instead expecting that the fluidity of what User Experience Design VP Peter Skillman – who also led the N9 project – tells us is a heavily optimized UI layer will speak for itself. Sure enough, we have no complaints around performance, though the LCD display has mediocre viewing angles (although we can stomach its QVGA resolution given the overall small size).

The Fastlane system quickly becomes second nature. By swiping left or right in an app you return to the homescreen – either app launcher or Fastlane, depending on what you used last – while dragging town from the top edge pulls open a notification drawer complete with toggles between the two SIMs (if supported) and shortcuts for WiFi, Bluetooth, and other settings. Pull up from the bottom edge and you find the contextual menu, helping keep the UI as clear as possible for the app itself. It leaves the software experience feeling more expansive than it actually is, aided by the use of MeeGo-esque graphics that still look crisp and clean even several years down the line.

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As on the N9, you tap the display to wake the phone from standby. Notifications pop up as scrollable blocks on the lockscreen, and you can either swipe generally to get to the homescreen, or swipe a notification itself to jump straight into the relevant app. Nokia has usefully added a SIM icon to show which account the notification comes from. There’s also support for music playback controls when locked – along with, optionally, a dim but persistent clock always kept on-screen – and in the Fastlane; Nokia will bundle a set of bright magenta wired headphones in the box, and audio quality from them and the the Asha 501′s speaker is surprisingly strong.

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Given the affection many within Nokia had for the N9, and the frustration – inside and out of the company – at seeing the MeeGo project cancelled, we were curious as to whether Skillman felt the Asha 501 was cribbing from that OS as an homage or an insult. Letting go of MeeGo was tough, he told us, but the potential benefits from the new Asha platform, not to mention the potential audience, is considerably greater. In all, they amount to a “fit for purpose experience” he explained, which epitomizes Nokia’s ambitions with MeeGo but at a price point that opens the range up in ways the N9 could never have managed. Yet, even with cost as an ever-present consideration, Nokia still had room to call the Bratislava Symphony in to record a new batch of custom ringtones, and commission artists to create the preloaded wallpapers.

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With many manufacturers, there’s a tendency to compare their cheap smartphones with their higher-tier models and find them very obviously lacking. Nokia’s Asha 501 somehow manages to escape that fate, even when placed next to a Lumia 820 or 920. The Windows Phone will undoubtedly be more flexible, and better specified, but the Asha gives none of the sluggish reminder with every swipe and tap that it’s a far cheaper phone, unlike many rivals might. With 3G, we could see it being a hit for those wanting the web and app experience of a smartphone, only without the bulk and expense one might traditionally entail. Similarly, as a second phone – for taking away on a weekend trip free from the tyranny of a charger, or to a festival where you wouldn’t risk an iPhone – it has obvious charms.

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Subscribers in Africa, India, and Latin America will get the Asha 501 first, with Airtel, Telkomsel, America Movil, and MTN all confirming they’ll offer the phone. Expected to begin shipping in late June 2013, it will go on sale through as many as sixty operators across 90 countries; UK sales will begin in Q3. Rival phone manufacturers, Skillman pointed out to us, have effectively given up on the low-end of the market. “We still feel we have something to offer there,” he concluded.

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Nokia Asha 501 hands-on is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Nokia unveils the touchscreen Asha 501 with new software platform, we go hands-on (video)

Nokia unveils the touchscreen Asha 501 with new software platform, we go handson video

One or more additional members are expected to join Nokia’s Lumia line-up next Tuesday, but today the company has chosen New Delhi as the stage to unveil the Asha 501, a new touchscreen handset that further blurs the line between featurephone and smartphone. While the last touchscreen Asha Nokia launched was very much a tweaked version of its predecessors, the 501 has a radically different design akin to the latest QWERTY device stamped with the Asha brand. The aesthetics aren’t all that’s changed, however, as the 501 is running a re-engineered OS Nokia’s dubbed the “Asha software platform” (the fruits of last year’s Smarterphone acquisition). We were able to spend a little quality time with the handset, so head past the break for more details and our initial impressions.

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APX Labs mods Epson Moverio headset, adds camera, mic and motion sensors for improved AR

APX Labs mods Epson Moverio headset, adds camera, mic and motion sensors for improved AR

Epson’s 3D display glasses, the Moverio BT-100 have been floating around as a development platform for a couple years, and APX Labs is the latest to hack the headset. APX Labs is a software firm best known for creating Terminator Vision augmented reality tech for the US military, and it decided to use the BT-100 as a vehicle to develop and showcase a smart glasses platform it’s built to work for both business and consumer applications. In order to get the functionality it needed, APX grafted a 5 megapixel camera, mic and a full suite of motion sensors to provide nine-axis head tracking onto a Moverio headset.

All that gear is shoved into a 3D-printed module and attached to the BT-100 to turn it into a pair of smart glasses. In addition to the cameras and sensors, APX also hacked an Epson daughter board onto the Moverio’s controller to allow an HDMI video feed from a smartphone to be shown on the displays. This result? A system that understands where you are, what you’re seeing and hearing and a UI that allows users to glean information from the world around them using voice commands and head gestures. That should sound familiar to fans of Google Glass, but by using Epson’s binocular displays, these smart glasses can convey depth in a way Mountain View’s monocle cannot. (Not to mention that Glass doesn’t even do AR apps… yet). The hardware we got to see was a crude prototype built for demo purposes only, but the software platform shows promise and Epson’s got a version two Moverio headset in the works — so perhaps you can see a bit of the future of smart glasses in the video after the break.

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China’s LeTV debuts ‘Super TV’ X60, throws in a quad-core S4 Prime chip

LeTV X60 debuts in China with Snapdragon S4 Prime

Quad-core smart TVs? Move over, Samsung and Haier, because another company’s now joining the party. At a press event in Beijing yesterday, Chinese video content provider LeTV announced its first TV series dubbed “Super TV.” Despite the cheesy name, there are a handful of big names behind it: Kai-Fu Lee’s Innovation Works, Qualcomm, Foxconn and Sharp. The last two aren’t surprising considering Foxconn’s parent company, Hon Hai, is an investor of Sharp as well as LeTV. It’s also worth noting, though, that Hon Hai already has a deal with RadioShack to make and sell a 60-inch TV, the RS60-V1, in China since January.

The flagship X60 (pictured above at GMIC Beijing) features an aluminum alloy body that encases Sharp’s 10th-generation 60-inch 1080p panel — as featured on the RadioShack TV — with 120Hz 3D, on top of a 1.7GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Prime MPQ8064 (with 2GB of RAM and Adreno 320 graphics), dual-band WiFi and S/PDIF optical output. You can also add an optional 2.4GHz gyroscopic remote control and a PrimeSense motion sensor just for giggles. But most importantly, LeTV now streams over 2,000 TV apps as well as some 90,000 TV episodes and 5,000 movies for free (LeTV claims to own the rights to 95 percent of the video content). So, the ¥6,999 or $1,140 price tag seems a steal for the X60. There will also be a 39-inch 1080p (likely 2D only), dual-core S40 model priced at ¥1,999 or about $330, and both TVs will be available by the end of June.

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Via: Engadget Chinese

Source: LeTV

RokForm v3 accessories turn smartphones to wall-mounted televisions

The accessory company RokForm has been releasing accessories since 2010, coming up here in 2013 with a family of components that allow a smartphone – one of several models – to be attached to essentially any hard surface you’ve got near you. Though the group continues to keep the use cases for their accessories wide open, we’d like to suggest one that’s proven itself to be pretty neat right here at home: dish washing.

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Of course RokForm accessories aren’t made for washing dishes, they’re made for holding and protecting your smartphone. But what we’ve got here in a combination of elements is a way to hold, in this case, a Samsung Galaxy S III aloft above a sink full of dirty dishes playing Netflix while we go about our business. So we’ve got Beavis and Butthead playing on loop while the cups and pans are run through the hands-on action.

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With the RokForm v3 Suction Mount we’ve got one piece of the puzzle, and with the Rokbed v3 S3 Case we’ve got the other. RokForm is expanding their line of compatible components with this v3 set, working with devices like the iPhone 5 and the iPhone 4S right this minute with plans for devices like the GALAXY S 4 on the list. In addition to the Suction Mount, there’s also a friendly list of components that attach with the same multi-clip attachment point you see here.

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You’ll be able to attach with a Bike Mount, an Extended Tripod Adapter, Sport Clip, and magnets – amongst others coming up, too. With the Rokbed v3 S3 Case on its own, you’ve got an injection molded polycarbonate frame, “thermoplastic elastomer non-slip grip insert”, a magnet kit, a Rokguard screen protector, and a Remote Mounting System for moist mount – these are basically heavy-duty sticker-backed units that lock in to the back of the case like the Suction Mount does.

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So you’ve got the case – you’ll buy that for right around $40 or $45 USD depending on the device you’re working with. Then you’ll want the Suction Mount which will run you another $49 USD. This mount, like the case, is heavy duty. Made with polycarbonate and die cast zinc construction with two angles for movement – 360 degrees of rotation as well as a 210 degree tilt. All we need is one, the one which allows the phone to sit horizontal for superior television show viewing.

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This mount has sat attached to a tile above the sink for over a week straight with no end in sight. Of course that’ll happen when you’ve got a 3.4-inch suction cup holding up a device that’s much, much lighter than its full weight capacity. Sound like a winning combination to you? Let us know!


RokForm v3 accessories turn smartphones to wall-mounted televisions is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

B&O Play H3, H6 headphones debut stateside: danish design, premium prices

B&O Play H3, H6 headphones debut stateside aluminumclad danish design, premium prices

It was just last month that Bang & Olufsen unveiled the H3 and H6 headphones under its cheaper-to-enter B&0 Play brand for the EU. Today, B&O introduced these two dapper additions stateside, announcing them at its SoHo NY shop. If you’ll recall, the aluminum-clad H3 in-ears pack 10.3mm drivers aided by mini bass ports, while the H6 over-ears feature 40mm drivers and a healthy heaping of leather-wrapped memory foam padding. Both have an iOS-friendly inline remote and a straight 3.5mm ended cabling. We spent some time with the H6 and we’re surprised at how light it is — which also made for an extremely comfortable first impression when it was placed around this editor’s ears. The sound from the H6’s drivers is crispy and light with a fairly flat voicing that’s free of any noticeable sibilance. A 3.5mm input resides on each of its earcups, which allows for daisy-chaining so you can listen with a buddy. We’re told the H3 intra-aurals should sound similar (we couldn’t get a clean pair to jam in our ears).

Expect to pay $250 for the H3 and $400 for the H6 come July, which is a bit pricier than the likes of B&W’s P3 and P5 headphones. We’ll have to get back to you about whether the prices match the products, but grab a look in the gallery for now.

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